Knotter



Dc. 1'1,v 1934. R TATLOCK 1,983,953

KNOT'TER Filed Dec. lO, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l` 4 INVENTOR. F066? 7J 7,??0c/f Dec. 11, 1934.

R. TA1-LOCK 1,983,953

KNOTTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. lO, 1952 f/ fg Ilfh 70,3

\ u im /o/ 406 95' |I Q f l fof f 93 7 M sm 1J 517" f@ v .f7

INVENToR. HafHTsnoc/f BY n l j ATTONE all() Patented Dec. ll, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNOTTER Carolina Application December 1o, 1932, serial No. 646,725

24 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements inknotters for mechanically tying knots in threads, and method of forming a sheet-bend or weavers knot.

Prior to my invention there have been used and proposed for use several dierent types oi knotters, each designed to form a certaintype of knot connecting the ends of threads. Among these various types is the one disclosed in Patent No. 1,572,181 granted to B. E. Byrd, and several features of which are generally desirable. Such features include the means for positioning the two threads to be connected quickly and without difficulty, and the operation of the thread tensioning means and tying bill by a single operating lever. In general, my present invention provides a knetter oi the type disclosed in said patent to the extent that it utilizes the general character of thread positioning means, and the operation or" the tensioning means and tying bill by a single operating lever. My present invention also provides for operation of thread cutters and a stripping device to remove the knot from the bill by movement of the single operating lever. My present knetter diiiers from that of the said patent in features oi construction and operation hereinafter pointed out in detail.

The general object of my present invention, as to structure, is to provide a compact, sturdy, and easily operated knetter, especially designed to quickly and surely form a sheet-bend or true weavers knot connecting two threads, and as to method, to so manipulate two substantially par allel threads as to form a knot of the above kind.

In accordance with my invention the two threads are positioned in spaced substantially parallel relation in a plane at substantially right angles to the axis of rotation of the tying bill, but crossing each other in spaced relation at a point in a plane substantially parallel to said axis. I will call the threads so positioned A and B for he purpose oi explanation. After the threads have been so positioned they are moved at opposite sides of the bill to reversed positions so as to `pring the ends of the thread A down and the ends of the thread B up, thus bringing them into contact between said ends at said point of crossing and forming loops at opposite sides of the point of contact. This is accomplished by the construction and arrangement of the positioning means and subsequent movements of the tensioning and crossing means. The tying bill then successively passes between the threads at opposite sides of the point of crossing. For purposes of further explanation, I will call the portions of thread A at opposite sides of the point of crossing-a and a respectively. The point of crossing of threads A and B and adjacent parts of the threads are now on one side of the tying hill forming. thereon an X, the lower arms of which are lformed by d and a and the upper arms by B. The portion a is then looped around the tying bill and across the upper arms of the X and gripped by the tying bill and severed just before the second portion a is disposed behind the tying bill and below the loop in a', after which the stripper pulls on o. to move the loop in a across the point of crossing of A and B and the portion of a disposed over the upper arms. As this is happening the upper arm of the X, part of B, is severed, and the stripper then removes and tightens the knot with B around and loop in a around the both arms oi B.

As will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out during the course of the description oi the construction and operation of the several parts or" the knetter, the knot formed in the foregoing manner is a sheet-bender true weavers knot, and the important features of my invention contributing to the formation of the said knot are the relative initial positioning of the threads, subsequent crossing, and movement of the tying bill which is delayed so far as effective engagement with the threads is concerned until the threads have been properly crossed and tensione To the accomplishment ofthe foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consistsin the elements and their relation one to the other, as hereafter particularly described and1l `deiined in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a knetter ernbodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 3 is a-view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is a view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the operating lever detached from the knotter;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the knetter shown in Fig. 1 with the cover plates removed;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail fragmentary perspective View showing the initial position of the threads to be connected by the knetter;

Figs. 9-12 are detailed views showing the relative positions of the threads tying bill during the several steps in forming the knot;

Fig. 13 is a detail view showing the nal relative position of the threads in the resulting weavers knot before tightening.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modification in the construction and arrangement of the stripper;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a View similar to Fig. 14 showing the strippper in its outermost position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numerals 1 and 2 designate the side plates of the knetter between which housed all of the parts except the handle 3 and thumb piece 4 of the operating lever which must conveniently project out. The sides 1 2 are held in spaced relation by a plate 5- mounted therebetween with screws 6 engaging through the sides into the plate, there being two screws 6 at each side of the knotter and each end of the plate (Fig. 5). There is also provided, adjacent the point where the handle is joined to the knetter, a base plate 7 which has tongues 8 at each side, seated in openings in the sides 1 and 2. The plate also has portions bent up against the interior of the sides and having openings registering with openings in the sides 1 and 2 to receive screws 9. A curved plate 1D closes the space between the sides 1 and 2 at the front of the knotter and has its forward end bent as at 11 to engage around the pin 12 rigidly connected to one of the sides. The other end of the plate overlaps the plate 7 and a screw 13 is threaded through registering openings in the plate 10 and plate 7 to secure the plate l() in place. The space between the sides 1 and 2 at the outer end of the knetter may be closed by plate 14 which is anged along its sides to iit over the beaks 15, which are formed on the outer ends of the sides 1 and 2. The structure thus far described, with the exception of the plate 5, constitutes the casing of the knotter.

Just behind the bealrs 15, each of the side plates is provided with a prong, that on the plate 2 being designated by the numeral 16 and that on the plate l by the numeral 17. These prongs project upwardly and on each side of each of the prongs there are formed thread receiving notches. The outer notch 18 on the plate 1 terminates above the inner notch 19, or, in other words, the notch 19 is deeper than the notch 18. This is clearly shown in Fig. l. Referring to Fig. 8, where the prongs and beaks are shown in dot and dash lines, it will be noted that the outer notch 20 in the plate 2, which is in alinement with the outer notch 18 in the plate 1 terminates below the inner notch 21 which is in alinement with the inner notch 19 in the plate 1. Still referring to Fig. 8, it will be noted that the notches 2G and 18 receive one thread and the notches 19 and 21 receive another thread. Now, due to the fact that the notches 20 and 19 terminate below the notches 18 and 21, the threads when placed across the knetter and in the said notches will be located in substantially parallel planes coinciding with the planes through the notches but will cross each other in spaced relation at a point in a plane transversely to the planes of the notches. To 'facilitate positioning of the threads in spaced relation across the knot-ter in the proper notches, l may provide an auxiliary divider 22 (Figs. 1, 4 7) which comprises a tubular leg 23 to nt over the prong 17 and at right angles thereto at its top an arm 24 extending toward the prong 1S. This device may be removably held on the prongs 17 by frictional or resilient grip when applied over the prong.

The rst step in the formation of the knot in accordance with my invention is to bring the spaced threads positioned as shown in Fig. 8 into Contact and crossed relation as shown in Fig. 9, and to this end I provide at each side of the knetter., preferably on the interior of the casing or adjacent the inner faces of sides 1 and members to engage each ci the threads adjacent the notches and move them past each other in reverse directions. ln Fig. 3, I have shown the thread crossing means on plate 2 comprising a rocker 25 pivotally connected to the plate 2 at 26, and having a shoulder 27 normally facing the notch 29. A link 28 is pivotally connected to the rocker .5 at 29 and has an offset arm or extension 39 terminating substantially in alinernent with the prong 16. This extension 3Q on the link is provided with a notch 31 normally in alinement with the notch 2l. Obviously upward or outward movement of the link 28 will rotate the rocker 25 on pivot 26 in a clockwise direction, to carry the shoulder past the notch 20 and thereby move the thread in said notch downwardly or inwardly, while at the same time the upward or outward movement of the link 28 will carry the notch 31 and the thread therein upwardly or outwardly. ,as the threads are thus moved by the elements 2*! and 31, and with respect to the position or the knetter in Fig. 3, the thread which was initially in notch 28 is moved beneath and across the thread which is in notch 31 which is simultaneously moved over and above the first thread.

Now, referring to Fig. 4, there is shown the thread crossing and tensioning means, which is connected to plate 1 and comprising a link 32 pivotally connected at 33 to a rocker 34, which is pivotally connected at 35 to the plate 1. Adjacent the notch 19, the rocker 32 is provided with a lip 86 and immediately therebehind a notch 3'?, while the rocker 34, which is similar to the rocker 25, has a shoulder 38 in alinement with the notch 18. As in the case of the link 28 and rocker 25, upward or outward movement of the link 32 will cause the rocker 34 to rotate on its pivot 35, but in a contra-clockwise direction, while the lip 36 moves past the notches 19 and 18. During such movement, the rocker 34 carries the outermost thread above and over the innermost thread, while the lip 36 carries the innermost thread below and under the outermost thread, which is just the reverse of the relative movements of the threads under the action ci the rocker 25 and link 28. Thus the threads are placed in position shown in Fig. 9, and the tying bill is ready to come into effective engagement with the threads so positioned and tensioned to form in connection with other parts, hereinafter de.- scribed, the knot shown in Fig. 13.

The tying bill is of known form and includes the outer clamping jaws 39 between which. is the movable jaw 40, pivotally connected by the pin 41, to the jaws 39. The jaw 40 has a ared skirt or cam portion 42 which rotates in the recess 43 in the plate 5. the said recess being arranged .ccentrically to the of rotation ci the tying bill, whereby the cam portion 42 will actuate the jaw 40 at the proper times to open and close. The legs of the jaws 89 extend through an opening 44 in the plate 5. and more particularly in the bottorn of the recess 43, and are connected to a shaft 45 for rotation therewith. lower or inner end of the shaft is formed wither keyed tea pinion 46 .and is journaled on the .end 47y el. .a screw 48 which is mounted through the plate 7 and rigidly secured in place `by ,a nut 49.

The thread crossing and tensioning means and the vtying bill, .that is, the links 28, .32, and shaft 45, are operated by a common actuating member which might be called a split trigger `lever connected tothe thumb .piece 4. Abolt '56 'is mounted .through .the sides v1 and 2 adjacent the handle 3 and held in place by a nut. 51. Between the sides 1 and 2 and on the .bolt 50 isjournaled the split trigger .lever designated generally, .(Fig. 2), by the numeral 52. The split trigger lever 52 is illustrated as being composed oftwo. parts one at each side of the knetter adjacent the inner faces of .the .sides 1 and 2 including generally similar radial parts 53 and 54, the part53 having a tubular projection 5.5, and the part 54 having a similar projection 55. The ends of the pron jections. 55 and 55" have mating tongues and notches forming a clutch-like joint 55"so that the parts 53, 54, 55 and 55 form practically .a unitary split trigger lever journaled on bolt 56. A coil spring 56 surrounds the portion 55 and is anchored atone end to a fixed part, such as the plate 7 and `at its other end to the portion 54, as shown in Fig. 3. The spring normally tends to maintain the parts in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with the thumb lever 4 up and .pins 57 on the links 28 and 32 disposed in the ends of notches 58 in the respective portions 53 and 54. The .pins ,57. and the notches 58 are in alinement acrossthe knetter. Each of the portions 5.3,;and 54 has en its upper face atene side e1" the .notches 58, arcuate surfaces 59, and on theother side of the notchesl projections 60 extending beyond the top of the surfaces 59. Furthermore, each of the sides 1 and 2 has a pin 6l disposed in slots 62 formed longitudinally in the links 28 and 32.

Describing the operation of the split trigger lever with respect to the thread crossing and tensioning parts, when the thumb piece 4 is pulled down or to theV left .of the position shown in Fig. 2, the pins 57y are, moved in anarc and being in the notches 58, cause the lin-ks `28 and 32 to be simultaneously and equally moved upwardly or outwardly thus moving the notch 81` and lip 36 and rotating the rockers 25 and .34 to cross the threads in the manner hereinabove described.

The ultimate position of the threadsunder movements of the crossing and tensioning means is established just as the pins 57 reach the ends of the slots 58 and continued movement ofthe thumb piece 4, and consequent rotation of the split` trigger lever, brings the arcuate faces 59 across and below the pins 57, so that the threads are lmaintained inthe crossed relation .under proper tension. The movement of the links 28 and 32 is limited by the travel of the lugs 6-1 in the slots 62.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 7, it will be noted that a toothed segment 63 is pivetal'ly mounted on the bolt 64 which extends through the side 1, `being held `in place by the nut 65. segment is providedl with a cam slot or groove 66 in which is disposed a lug 67 mounted at the end of an extension 68 on the plate 53. The first movement of the thumb piece 4 and rotation of the split trigger lever moves the pin 67 in the shorter end portion 66 of the groove 66, so that dur-ing such movement, which is equivalent to the initial crossing movement of the parts 25, 28, 32, the segment is not moved. However, when vthe pin 67 reaches the curve 69 of the cam slot 66it contactsthe wall :at the VKcurve and begins to move the segment, which movement is continued as the pin moves along the longer or intermediate portion of the groove `66.v New, since the teeth of the. segment 63 mesh with the pinion 46, the partial rotation .of the .segment which takes place during the travel of the .pin 67 along the longer intermediate portion of the groove 66 rotates the shaft 45., .and the rotation of the shaft stops as the pin entersand moves in the other end portion 70 of the groove 66, at which time the operation of parts hereinafter described is taking place.

In the present embodiment of the invention, l' have 'shown the tying .bill jaws facing real wardly of the threads inthe normal position of the which position is that occupied by the several parts before the .thumb lever 4 is moved. The length of the. end 66 of the cam groove 66 is suohas to delay rotation oi the tying bill until suchytime as the threads have been brought into contact .and crossed, or, in other words, such that the effective engagement oi the tying bill with respect to the threads is delayed until the proper crossing of the threads is accomplished. So far as I am aware, in the knotters heretofore used or proposed, the tying bill faces to the front and the threads are positioned across its so that the tying bill usually comes into eiective engagement with the threads substantially simultaneously with .their crossing. In other respects, tne mechanical operation of the tying bill so far vas the clamping and cutting jaws vis concerned is the sameas in Eatent No. 1,572,181. With the type of knot tied with my knetter and vunder my method,

it is necessary to also pickup and sever another Y thread. To this end, I provide between the beaks 15, a plate 72, the ends of which are flanged and secured to the beaks 15 by screws 73. Another plate 74 is secured .to the plate 72 by screws 75 and has a depending side 76. formed with a cutting edge 77. A movable blade 78 is pivotally connected at 79 te the plate 76 and has a cutting edge 80. The cutting blade 7.3 is provided vwith a .pin 81 disposed .in a slot 82 in the end of e lever 83which is pivojtally mounted on a pin which extends across a groove in the plate 5. A coil spring 85 is mounted around theA pivot 84 and has one end anchored against the plate 5 and the other end anchored against 'the lever 83 to normally held the parts in the position shown iii I' Fig. 2,. However, when the thumb piece 4 has been pressed down so as to rotate the split trigger lever and thus cross the threads and rotate the tyingb'ill, and more specically just about at the time that the pin 67 begins to move in the end 70 of the cam groove 66, the extension 60 en the plate53 moves into Contact with the end 86 of the lever V83 and continued nna'l movementor the split trigger lever and cam finger 66 moves the end 86 of the lever 83 so as to rotaie the lever on the pivot 54 against the tension of spring 85 to move the slot 82 across the pin 81 and eventually to move the pin and blade l7.8 sum ciently toicross the cutting edges and 77. Durm ing such movement of the-blade 30, it has picked up- ,the other thread which is to be severed as hereinafter pointed out.

The nal mechanical operation is the stripping or removal of the threads from the tying This is accomplished by a movement impaicd.v to the` stripper also by the split trigger lever.

Referring to Figs. 3., 7, the stripper is designated generally 4by the numeral 90 and is piveted intermediate itsr ends on the bolt 91 mounted through the side 2. At its rca-r, the stripper has an arm 92 normally contacted by an extension 93 on the plate or portion 54 of the split trigger lever. At its other end, the stripper has the usual hook 94, and between the hook 94 and the pivot 91, the stripper is provided with a cam arm 95 disposed in the path of movement of the extension 93 on part 54. The arm 95 is located at a point remote from the normal position of the extension 93 so that it Will not be contacted thereby until after the pin67 has moved into the end 70 of the slot 66, which is after the tying bill has completed its rotation, and also after the iinger 60 on part 53 has contacted the end 86 of the lever 83 to move the blade 78 to sever the thread out thereby. When the extension 93 does engage the arm 95 it partially rotates the strip'- per 90 on the pivot 91 moving the hook 94 through an arc toward and across the tying bill and slots 20 and 21, so that the hook will catch a particular thread to complete the formation of the knot by tightening the interlocked threads and removing the knot from the tying bill.

I beleve that the foregoing description of the respective parts of the knotter and their operation is sumciently detailed to aiord a clear understanding of the construction and operation of the knotter, but if there be any points not clearly understood, the same should become apparent during the course of the following description of the formation of the knot.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be noted that the two threads to be joined are laid through the notches on opposite sides of the prongs 16 and 17 respectively with the outermost thread, which is shown as being white and designated by the reference A, in the outermost notches 20 and 18 and in front of the shoulders 38 and 27 on the rockers 34 and 25 respectively, and the other thread which is shown striped, and designated by the reference B, is disposed in the alined inner notches 21 and 19 and hence in the notch 31 of the link 28 and in front of the lip 36 on the link 32. That portion of the thread B which is in the notch 31, is above or higher than the portion of the thread A, which is in the bottom of the notch 20 at one side of the knotter, while the portion of the thread B, which is in front of the lip 36, is lower than the portion of the thread A, which is in the notch 18 at the other side of the knotter, so that when the thumb lever is initially depressed, to cause rotation of the split trigger lever whereupon the link 28 moves outward, the portion of the thread B in the notch 31 will be carried over the portion of the thread A in notch 20 which latter portion is moved under the thread B and inward. At the same time at the other side of the knetter the portion of the thread B which is in iront of the lip 36 is moved outward and under the portion of the thread A, which is in the notch 18 which latter portion is moved inward and over the thread B, so that the threads are crossed in the manner shown in Fig. 9 at a single point. As the threads were being so positioned, the tying bill rotated substantially 90 which places it in the position relative to the crossed threads shown in Fig. 9, the threads being crossed substantially in alinement with the axis of the bill. That portion of the thread A between the shoulder 38 and the point of crossing of the threads will hereinafter be referred to as a' while the portion of the same thread between the point of crossing and the shoulder 27 will be referred to as a. Similarly the portion of the thread B between the lip 36 and point of crossing will be referred to as b and the remaining portion between the point of crossing and notch 31 as b. When the tying bill rotates 180 from the position shown in Fig. 9, which is substantially 270 from its original position, it will be in the position shown in Fig. l and has passed between a. and b', and is beginning to pass between a" and b with a beginning to loop around the tying bill.

'I'he four strands a', a, b', and b, adjacent their points of crossing have thus been formed substantially into an X on one face of the tying bill. When the tying bill rotates another 180 from the position shown in Fig. 10, it will be in the position shown in Fig. l1, and a. has been looped around the tying bill to form the loop indicated by L and has crossed over b and b, and the cam portion 42 of the tying bill has been actuated to open the jaws 39 and 40, so that a is placed between the jaws. Continued movement or rotation of the tying bill closes the jaw 39, and when the tying bill has substantially made a complete revolution and a half, from its starting point, or has revolved substantially 540, the bills are facing forwardly; a is looped as shown in Fig. 12 around the tying bill and across b' and 19; the cutting blade 78 is catchng b and carrying it toward the edge 77; the stripper is moving up to a and the segment 63 has reached its limit of movement because pin 67 is in the portion 70 of the cam slot 66. Continued'movement of the split trigger lever pulls a", causes b to be severed and pulls the loop .L over the bill across the point of crossing of the threads and across the end of a gripped between the jaws. The resulting knot is shown in Fig. 13 in loosened condition.

When the knot has been removed and the thumb piece 4 is released, the spring 56 will rotate the split trigger lever, and as the pin 67 moves out of the end 70 and into 'the long intermediate portion of the cam slot 66, the segment will be rotated in reverse direction and the parts returned to the position shown in Fig. 2. The spring 85 returns the lever 83 to its normal position when the finger 60 moves out of contact with the end 86 on the return move-Y ment of the segment, and of course the return movement of the segment moves the arcuate faces 59 reversely so that the pins 57 will come into the slots 68 and move down therein to re turn the crossing members to their original position.

It is possible to provide for the stripper remaining in its outermost thread engaging position, after it has engaged the thread to tighten and remove the knot, to hold the knot out of the machine during the return movement o the bill, thread crossing means, and other movable parts. A construction and arrangement for effecting this is shown in Figs. 144.6, wherein the numerals 2, 5, 7, 10, 16, 25, 50 and 55 designate the same parts asin the other iigures of the drawings. The plate 54 of Figs. 1416 is the same as the plate 54 ofthe other igures and operates in the same manner. However, the arm 93 is slightly different than the arm 93 in that it is offset at 100, so that its outer end is nearer to the side plate 2 and in the same plane with the extension 95 on the stripper lever and similar to the arm 95 of the other figures. instead of providing the rearwardly extending arm 92 of the stripper previously described, provide at the rear of the pivot 91 for the stripper, a loop 101 in which is disposed the curved end 102 oi' lever 103. The curved end 102 terminates at a shoulder 104. The other end of the lever 103 is in the same plane with and contacts the end of the arm 93 and may be provided withv a' curved cam surface for engagement by the end of the arm. The end of the lever 103 or cam surface 105 is normally urged toward the end of the arm 93 by spring 106 securedat 107 to the base plate 'l as by rivets or welding. Instead of providing the stripper with the plain hooked end 94 of the otherv figures, the-arrangement of Figs. 14-16 shows the arm 04', provided at its. end with a curved extension 108 terminating forwardly at a shoulder 109,` which is adapted te engage the thread when the stripper is rotated on the pivot 91 by engagement of the arm 93 with the extension 95. as in the other figures., The outermost position of the stripper is shown in Fig. 16, and it will be noted that partial rotation of the stripper has moved the loop 101 along the curved end 102 of the lever 103 and behind the shoulder V104. The spring 106 will maintain the parts in the position shown during the return movement of the arm 93v to the position of Fig. 14, at which time the thread crossing members, rotary tying bill, and lever S3 are returning to normal position. The curved extension 108 is disposed between the thready cro-seing members and tying bill and will prevent tangling of the threads. When the arm 93 returns to the position of Fig. 14, it engages the surface 105 rocking the lever 103 on its pvot 110 against the action of the spring 106 and releasing the shoulder 104 from engagement with the loop 101, whereby the spring 111, which is anchored at 112, to the frame of the knetter and at 113 to the stripper lever may return the stripper te the position of Fig. 14. Thus, all of the parts except the stripper return toV their normal position after theknot is tied except the stripper which remains in thread engaging position until all of said parts haveV reached their normal positions, se that the tying bill cannot retain the knot and in its reverse rotation sever the same. The structure of Figs. 14 16 is not absolutely essential to operation of the knetter, but I nd the same to be very practical and useful.

I claim:

1. A knetter comprising a tying bill, means to rotate said bill, guides to position a pair of threads across the knetter in spaced substantially straight condition and substantially parallel to a common plane, and means for bringing said threads into contacting crossed relation at a single peint of crossing located for engagement by the tying bill and for passage of the tying bill between the threads successively on opposite sides of the point of crossing during rotation of said bill.

2. A knetter comprising guides to position a pair of threads in spaced relation, a tying bill, means at each side of the tying bill to reverse the relative positions of the threads at opposite sides of the tying bill while bringing them into crossed contacting relation at a peint intermediate said guides, and means to rotate said tying bill after said threads have been crossed in centacting relation to bring a side of the tying bill into contact with the point of crossing and pass its point successively between the threads on opposite sides of the point of crossing.

3. A knetter comprising side plates each provided With a pair of notches and the pairs of notches being alined to receive threads positioned thereby in substantially straight stretches in spaced relation, means adjacent said notches at each side of the knetter to reverse the position of the threads by passing one over the other at one side and said other over the said one at the other side to cross said threads at a single point intermediate said sid'es, a tying bill having jaws initially disposed behind said threads and out el contact therewith during the crossing, a shaft connected to said bill, and means te rotate said shaft and tying bill to pass said jaws between said threads at opposite sides of the point of crossing successively after they have been so crossed.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the means for rotating said tying bill comprises a pinion connected to the shaft of the tying bill, a rack meshing with said pinion to impart rotary movement thereto and to said shaft and bill, and cam means for moving said rack at a predetermined interval relative to the movement of the thread crossing means.

5. In a knot tying device, in combination, spaced alined guides for receiving and separating two threads in planes substantially parallel to a cemmen plane and crossing one another in spaced relation in another plane, mechanism for movingV the said threads in reverse directions at opposite sides of the device te bring the threads into contact at said point of crossing, means fer folding said threads across each other at said point of crossing, and then looping one thread about said means, and means for pulling said loop over said point of crossing and against a portion of said one thread.

6. In a knetter, a frame comprising spaced rigidly connected side plates, a tying bill rotatably supported therebetween, means en said side plates for positioning two threads in spaced relation across said sides, means for crossing said threads intermediate said sides, a lever i'er actuating said thread crossing means, a rack and pinion for rotating said tying bill, a member supporting said rack and pivetally supported by a part ei said frame, a cam formation on said member, and an element carried by said lever for engaging said cam formation and movable relative thereto during the operation of the thread crossing means without moving said member, and movable relative thereto after said'threads have been crossed to oscillate said plate and rack te rotate said pinionl and tying bill.

' '1. In a knetter, side plates rigidly connected in spaced relation, a tying bill rotatably supported therebetween, means on each of the side plates for guiding two threads into spaced relation ben tween the sides, a link at each side of the knetter and slidable therealong, each oi said links having one end terminating adjacent one of the threads, a rocker pivetally connected to each of the links and having a portion disposed adjacent the other thread, said rockers being pivetally connected intermediate said portion and pivotal connection to the sides, a lever pivetally supported between the sides and having two spaced portions one adjacent each of the sides, cam means on each of said por tions and links for moving said links outwardly and rotating said rockers upon rotation of said lever to cross the threads intermediate said sides, and means operable by said lever to rotate said tying bill and pass it successively between the threads at opposite sides of said point of crossing.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein the means for rotating the tying bill comprises a shaft cennectecl therewith, a pinion en the shaft, a segment plate pivetally mounted between the sides and carrying an arcuate rack and provided with acam slot, said cam slot having an offset and an elongated portion, and a lug on the lever normally resting in said oiset portion and movable therein during initial movement of the lever and thread crossing means without moving said Segment, and movable inY said elongated portion after the threads have been crossed to rotate the rack, pinion, andtying bill.

9. In a knot tying device, in combination, a tying billihaving fixed and movable clamping andeutting jaws, means for positioning two threads relative to each other across the tying device in spaced relation and parallel to a common plane, means forrreversing the relative positions of the threads at the sides of the knotter while crossing the threads at a point intermediate said sides, means for rotating'the tying bill to cause the same to pass between the threads at opposite sides of said point of crossing successively, means to open said jaws to receive one ol'Y said threads at one side ci said point of crossing'aiter the tying bill has passed successively therebetween, saidmeans being effective to close said jaws to clamp said thread and subsequently :sever itmeans to catch the other thread above said rst thread at the same side of the point of crossing and to subsequently sever it, and means engageable with said first thread at the other Vside of the point of crossing to strip the knot from the tying bill.

10. In a knotter including means to position Y' a pair of 'threads in spaced relation thereacross,

means to cross the threads at a single point intermediate the sides of the knotter, a tying bill, means'to rotate the tying bill, a thread severing device and a stripper, an operating lever pivotally mounted between the sidesY and having associated therewith a plurality of cam formations to successively operate the said thread crossing means, bill rotating means, thread severing device and stripper.

11. In a Aknotter having thread positioning and knot-forming elements, an actuator for moving saidY elements comprising a lever, spaced plates on said lever each having a curved edge terminating at one end at a'slot, and extensions on said plates at the other end of said curved facesLsaid plates being located at opposite Ysides otY the knotter. Y

12. The structurerof claim 11 wherein said lever is formed of two parts, each part including one of *said plates, and a tubular sleeve projecting therefrom, the ends of said sleeves having mating intertting elements to form a clutch-like joint 'between the parts.

Y13. In a knotter including side plates rigidly connected in spaced relation and'each provided with a pair of notches to receive threads and position the threads in spaced relation, a link extending along the inner face Vof each Vof the plates and each terminating at one end adjacent alined opposite notches and having a formation at said point of termination to engage a. thread, the formation on one of said links being a turned edge and on the other link a notch'to receive one of the threads.

14. In a knotter having thread positioning and knot forming elements includinJ a rotatable tying bill, means to rotate said bill to loop theV threads thereon, a stripper to pull the looped Y threads over the bill, said stripper comprising a lever having means for pivotally mounting it within the knotter, and having a rearwardly extending arm and a forwardly extending arm terminating in a hook to catch a thread, said arms being arranged on opposite sides of the pivot point, a lateral extension on said stripper, and means to engage said rear arm and hold the lever against rotation and to also engage said lateral extension to rotate the lever and-.move said hook.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein the means for engaging said rear arm and lateral extension comprises a member carried by the bill rotating means.

16. In a knotter including means to position a pair oi threads and a rotatable tying bill to: loop the threads, means to rotate said tying bill, and means to catch one of the threads and sever it at a predetermined time, said last means comprising a lever pivotally mounted in the knotter and having an elongated arm formed with a slot adjacent its end, a movable cutting blade, a pin connected to said cutting blade and disposed in said slot, a iixed cutting blade, a pivotal connection between the said fixed cutting bladev and movable cutting blade, and means to engage said lever to rotate it past said slot across said pin and then move said movable blade into cutting engagement with the ixed blade.

17. The structure of claim 16 wherein the means for moving said lever comprises a member carried by the bill rotating means and engageable with an end of said lever.

18. VIn a knotter of the class described, having alined prongs separating.. thread receiving notches, an auxiliary threadseparator frictionally secured to one of said prongs and having an arm extending partly across said'knotter toward the other prong, said auxiliary separator being readily detachable by sliding movement along said prong.

19. In a knotter of the class described, having alined prongs separating thread receiving notches, an auxiliary thread separator comprising a tubular portion to t over one of said prongs, and an arm at the upper end of said portion extending partly across the knotter toward the other prong.

20. In a knotter of the class described, Ymeans to position and cross a pair of threads, a tying bill, means to rotate saidV tying bill between the crossed threads to loop said threads thereon, means to tighten said looped threads on the tying bill comprising a stripper engageable with one 50 of the threads, and means to maintain said stripper in thread engaging position during return movement of the tying bill. 'i

21. A knotter comprising a tying bill, means to rotate said bill, guides to position a pair oi threadsv across the knotter in spaced substantially straight condition and substantially parallel to a common plane, and means independent of the 'tying bill for bringing said threads into contacting crossed relation at a single point of crossing located for engagement by the tying bill and for passage of the tying bill between the threads successively on opposite sides of the point or crossing during rotation of said bill.

22. In a knot tying device, in combination, spaced alined guides for receiving and separating two threads in planes substantially parallel to a commonVV plane and crossing one another in spaced relation in another plane, mechanism for moving the said threads in reverse directions at opposite sides of the device to bring the threads into contact at said point of crossing substantially in alinement with the axis of the tying bill, means for folding said threads across each other messes at said point of crossing, and then looping one thread about said means, and means for pulling said loop over said point of crossing and against a portion of said one thread.

23. A knotter comprising side plates rigidly connected in spaced relation, guides at opposite sides of the knotter to position a pair of threads across the knetter in spaced substantially straight condition and substantially parallel to a common plane, means for bringing said threads into contacting crossed relation at a single point of crossing intermediate the sides of the knotter, a tying bill having its beak normally facing away from the thread guides, and means to rotate said tying biil to bring one side thereof into. engagement with the threads at their point of crossing and to pass the beak oi' the bill between the crossed threads successively on opposite sides of the point of crossing.

24. A knotter comprising side plates rigidly connected in spaced relation, guides at opposite sides of the knotter to position a pair of threads across the knotter in spaced substantially straight condition and substantially parallel to a common plane, means for bringing said threads into oontacting crossed relation at a single point of crossing intermediate the sides of the knotter, a tying bill having its beak normally facing away from the thread guides, and means to rotate said tying bill to bring one side thereof into engagement with the threads at their point of crossing and to pass the beak of the bill between the crossed threads successively on opposite sides of the point oi cross- 

